Improvement in car-couplings



G. T. PETERS. CAR-COUPLINGS.

No. 194,461. Patented Au 21,1877. 7

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

e oEeE PETERS, OF, JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT IN CAR-COUPLINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 194,461, dated August 21, 1877; application filed June 26, 1877.

To all whom it may concern: i

Be it known that I, GEORGE T. PETERs, of Jersey City, in the county of Hudson and State of 'New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oar-Coupling, of which the following is a specification:

This invention relates to certain improvements in car-couplers, its object being to provide a coupler of simple construction which will readily adapt itself to cars having platforms of diflerent heights, and which will act with comparatively little friction or leverage, and couple the cars automatically when they come together, and at the same time allow them to become automatically uncoupled in case the train jumps the track.

My invention consists in a draw head, formed in a single piece, divided into two wings by means of a slot, and provided with a semicircular .lug and a semicircular recess, which form a knuckle-joint when two of the draw-heads are brought together, in combination with a draw-hook, pivoted in the slot between the two wings, and having a curved rear end, upon which bears a horizontal rod actuated by an independent spring, as more fully hereinafter set forth.

In the drawing, Figure 1 represents a top view of my improved coupler, showing the two draw-heads connected together; Fig. 2, a side view of a single coupler; and Fig. 3, a front view of a single coupler, showing the chain and lever for operating the same for the purpose of uncoupling.

The letter A represents the draw-bar, which is secured to the end of the car in the ordinary manner, and B the draw-head, formed in one piece at the front end of the draw-bar, with two wings, O O, and an intervening slot, in

which is pivoted the draw-hook D, said hook being constructed with a curve, d, at its rear, against which bears the end of a rod, (1, surrounded and actuated by a spiral spring, 0, to throw the draw-hook automatically into position for coupling, as more fully hereinafter specified.

The draw-head is provided with a semicircular lug, E, and a semicircular recess, E,

which form a knuckle-joint when two of said draw-heads are brought together. The drawhead is also provided with a square shoulder, 01, at the rear of the lug E, which serves to engage the hook of the opposite draw-head when two of the same are brought together.

To the end of the draw-hook is secured one end of a chain, H, the other end of which is secured to a suitable lever, by means of which said hook may be disengaged to nncouple the cars.

The operation of my improved coupler will be readily understood in connection with the above description. When a train is to be made up, or two cars are to be coupled together, it is simply necessary to cause the cars to approach each other until they meet, when the respective draw-hooks are thrown backward by the curved sides of the draw-heads, and engage the shoulders at the rear of the same.

To nncouplc the cars, it is only necessary to draw on the chain attached to the drawhook by means of the lever until said hook is disengaged from the shoulders, when the cars may be drawn apart.

It will be perceived that the coupler as influenced by any indirect strain, thus permitting the cars to become uncoupled in case one or more should jump the track.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

The draw-head B, formed in a single piece, with two wings, O O, semicircular lug E, and semicircular recess E, 'forming a knucklejoint when two draw-heads are brought to- In testimony that I claim the foregoing I gather, in combination with the draw-hook have hereunto set my hand and seal in the D, pivoted between the wings O O, and havpresence of the subscribing witnesses.

ing a curved rear end. and a horizontal independent bolt actuated by means of a spring GEORGE PETERS' bearing against said curved rear end of the Witnesses: hook, substantially as and for the purpose set JAB. F. FIELDEE,

forth. v E. H. CARPENTER. 

